Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov discussed the evacuation of Uzbek citizens and a logistics review due to the Middle East crisis at a meeting on Monday, according to government sources cited by Gazeta.

Aripov instructed Transport Minister Ilhom Mahkamov to implement measures for repatriating citizens from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and other regional countries. Official data indicates over 1,000 Uzbek pilgrims are in Saudi Arabia, with many citizens also unable to depart from the UAE due to flight cancellations.

Repatriation flights are being organized by airlines including Uzbekistan Airways, Centrum Air, Qanot Sharq, and Fly Khiva, with flights to Middle Eastern destinations operating without passengers. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is tasked with negotiating with relevant countries to coordinate departures from Uzbekistan.

The Prime Minister also directed the Transport Ministry to develop alternative transport corridors for export-import operations. Previously, Ilhom Mahkamov reported that Uzbekistan's external transport utilizes nine international corridors, with a key one being the southern corridor via Iranian seaports. During the Iran-Israel war that began in June 2025, Uzbekistan implemented emergency measures to ensure stability in external transport.

Source: www.gazeta.uz